Hi ladiesJust wondering if anyone can shed some light on what you really need to buy and what your don't for the babies arrival. Obviously need a buggy and cot etc but don't want to go mad buying things I don't need? Any help appreciated!!!

Exciting times ladies!! Lots of bibs Hang onto old hand towels as found these v handy for putting under mat when changing baby. My top buys were a co sleeper, a decent buggy, a changing unit packed high with supplies. Check out your local sling group they will give you a sling & update as baba grows bigger plus if baba doesn't like the sling you've wasted nothing.Happy Shopping

Aldi Muslins are really good when they have them in, plenty vests and babygrows but it is hard to know what sizes. Everyone told me not to buy newborn then my ds was small so needed newborn for ages. Little hats and mittens were used a huge amount here as he kept scratching his face. Then Moses basket, travel system, steriliser bottles bibs a good baby monitor I would recommend for peace of mind

Co-sleeper if you get one of the bigger ones I had my lo in it till she was two and straight to a bed then, no need for a crib. A baby carrier, made up formula for when you first get home if your bottle feeding. If your breastfeeding plenty of multi-mam compresses.

And a car seat that can clip out of the car onto buggy.

I found the clevamama baby sleep positioner great for after bottles plus if you decide to co-sleep it positions them high off the bed so less chance of rolling over them. a bottle warmer for the bedroom save you hiking all the way down stairs to heat the bottle up at night.

There are these little tubs you can get that fit into the tommee tippee bottles, you put the water in the bottle and then the tub fits in over it with the formula for when your out and about or at night time. keeps it all sterile. it keeps for 24 hours that way instead of only a hour or so when already mixed.

Found the changing table awkward, and it very rarely got used. I found doing it on my lap the best position.

I never found a use for my muslins (after being told by sister in law I absolutely needed them).

I needed a monitor but I wouldn't say its an essential, if your comfortable being out of the room don't bother. I would also only recommend a cheap one that you can hear them, I ended up sitting downstairs starring at the monitor haha

Congrats on your impending arrival.Shops and magazines would have you thinking you need so much gear but the below suggestions pretty much cover everything.With my DS she just wanted to be with/on me all the time. I got a present of a baby carrier/sling which proved a lifesaver. She wouldn't sleep in cot alone so ended up getting a co sleeper..again.proved invaluable especially when breastfeeding. Am due another baby next week so will be interesting to see if this one loves those as much.P.s you can't have enough vests and muslin cloths... Otherwise you'll always be washing!

I'm a ftm, had my DS last June. I second the advice below! I'd recommend a changing table, it saves your back. Also got great use out of the bassinet for the pram/stroller until he grew out of it. I ended up bottle feeding and loved the microwave steriliser, same with the clevamama soother microwave steriliser if you're using soothers. I also have a tommee Tippee perfect prep bottle maker. Expensive but waited and got it on sale on Amazon. You definitely don't need it but if you're formula feeding it's a great luxury. Would also recommend a baby monitor for peace of mind. Oh and sounds simple but would have a large notebook ready to note when baby fed, how much, wet nappies etc. Amazing how one day runs into another and you forget what happened a few hours ago!